Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



May 24 1927. 1,629,624

H. O. HOLTE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1926 Patented ma 24, 1927.

Ulsl'lED stares HAROLD O. HOLTE, OZ? 'PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVAITIA;

IIIINIS RATOB CF SAID HAROLD G. HGLTE, DECEASED,

nsSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH &: SIGNAL COMPANY, or s'x'rJ-IssVALE, 'rEnnsYLVANIA, A. CORPORATION rnnnsYLvaniA.

RAILVJA'Y-TRAFFIC-CONTROLLIN G APPARATUS.

Application fired March 19, 1926. Serial No. 95,923. Q

r invention relates to railway trafiic conolnng apparatus, and particularly to appa- "atusof the type comprising train-earned ,"orerning means controlled by energy received from the trackway.

1 will describe one form of railwayitrafiic controlling apparatus embodying my inyention, and will then point out the novelfeatar-es thereof inclaims.

in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 1.8 a diagrammatic view illustrating one form of railway traiiic controlling apparatus emhodying' my invention. Fig. 2 is a View showing, in perspective, a portion of the train-carried apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to ilar parts inbo'th views.

Fig. 1

referring first to the reference characters 1 and 1 designate the track rails of a stretch of railway track over which trafiic normally moves in thedirection indicaied by the arrow. These rails are divided, by means of 'insulated'joints 2, to; form a plurality of tracl: sections, only one of nhich A-'B, is illustrated in the-drawing. shown in the drawing, each track secr1011 provided with a trackw'ay signal which is controlled in accordance with traific cmiditions by means forming no part vot'iny nt invention and omitted from the Ming tor the sake'o:t'si1nplicity. These ials may be or any'suitable form andare im. 0 shown sen'iaphore signals con trolled hy signal'S to swing 'incn nt with selected ones 'oi hxe'd associated therewith in accordance clean our thedrawing; I 7

rain controlling current is tlt 'il1lli-ZS suphe rails of section A er T. The primary d of this car is constantly supplied with althe primary 6' of "which is eaclrdesig; I nated by the reference characters with an Associated with v are two circuit controllersC and a 'inovable lever 10, the levers '7 and ie position of thesignahas will be Bby-a track current from secondary Sofa line supplied with alternating current :trorn an alternator M.

Associated with transformer T is a slow releasing relay B. This relay is provided with accircuit over which current flows from secondary 5 of transformer L, through wires 70 and 71,"contact.7* 8 of circuit controller 6, wire 2, back contact 'l'ot' relay B, wire 73, winding ot relay R and Wires 74 and 75 back to secondary 5 of transformerL. This circuit is closed only when signal S indicates caution or proceed, under which condition current will be supplied to relay R over its ownback contact. The relay therefore becomes energized but this energiza- I-IALVOR IIOLTE, SPECIAL AD tion of the relay opens back contact ll thereof, so that the circuit just traced for the relay is interrupted. After a time interval due to the slow releasing characteristic of the relay, thebacl; contact 14: again closes and current is again supplied to'the relay.

lit-follows thatas long as signal S indicates caution or proceed, relay R is operated intermittently- Due to the slow releasing characteristic of the relay the iront'contact 18-48 is closed'tor a longer interval oftime than back contact" 18*18 during each complete cycle of operation of the relay. To state thematter in another way, the it'ront'contact '18-18 is closed for a 'greater proportion of a given interval of time than is back contact 18-18l1 When signal S indicates stop, circuit controller C isopen and relay R continuously ds-energized.

a The supply of train controlling current to the rails of section A-B by secondary 3 of transformer T is controlled by circuit contrclled'D and by relay R. Thelett-hand terminal of secondary 3 of transformer T is constantly connected through wire 15 with rail-1 of section A-B. The l'lglitdltllld terminal of secondary 3 oil: transformer T is at times connected with rail '1 ofthe sec tion through wire 16, contact 10-11 cuit controller D, wire 17. front contact 18-18 of relay R, and wires 19 and '20. This circuit is closed only when signalS indicates proceed and when relay R is energized to close its front contact 18-48. lVhen signal S indicates caution,'the right ha'ndterminal of secondary 3 of transformer T, is connected through wire 16, contact 1012 of circuit controller D, wire 21, back contact 1818 of relay R and wires 19 and 20 to rail 1 of section AB. This circuit is closed only when signal S indicates caution, and when relay R is tie-energized. When signal S indicates proceed or caution, however, relayR is operated intermittently, as has been explained hereinbefore. It follows, therefore, that when either of the two circuits just traced is closed, current is supplied to the rails of section AB in the form of code impulse combinations made up of impulses of energy separated by time intervals. The relative proportions of a given interval of time that alternating current is supplied to the track rails for the code impulse combination corresponding to the proceed and caution indications of signal S may be regulated by properly designing the relay R. F or example, I will assume that a complete cycle of operation of relay R occupies one second and that front contact 1818 is closed for two-thirds of a second and back contact 18-18 is closed for one-third of a second during each such complete cycle. WVhen signal S indicates proceed, therefore, code impulse combinations are supplied to the trackway according to the proceed code which comprises impulses of energy each lasting for two-thirds of a. second and separated by time intervals of one-third of a second. vi/hen signal S indicates caution, however, code impulse combinations are supplied to the tracl'way according to the caution code which comprises impulses of energy of one-third of a second duration separated by time intervals of two-thirds of a second.

When signal S displays a stop indication, relay R is continuously de-energized and the right-hand terminal of secondary 3 of transformer T is then connected directly with rail 1 of section AB over wire 16, contact 1013 of circuit controller D and wires 22 and 20. Under this condition therefore alternating current is supplied to the rails of section AB without interruption.

It is understood that each of the remaining track sections is provided with apparatus similar to that just described for section AB.

The reference character V indicates a train which is provided with receiving apparatus designated in general by the reference character W. This receiving apparatus comprises two magnetizable cores 23 and 23 carried by the train in inductive relation with the two track rails 1 and l respectively, and located in advance of the forward axle of the train. Core 23 is provided with a winding 2t and core 23 is provided with a similar winding 24", the two windings 24 and 24 being so connected in series that the voltage induced therein by alternating current flowing in opposite dis rections in the two track rails at any instant are additive. The windings 24 and 24 are connected through a suitable ampli fier with the winding of a relay G.

It follows, therefore, that when alternating current is being supplied to the rails of section AB from transformer T, relay G is energized and when this supply of current is interrupted, relay G becomes de-energized.

Relay G controls a second relay K which is illustrated in detail in Fig. Referring to Fig. 2, relay K comprises two magnets designated in general by the reference characters K and K Magnet K comprises two magnetizable cores 26 and 27, and this magnet is provided with a winding made up of two coils 26 and 27 located on the cores 26 and 27, respectively, and connected in series. In similar manner magnet K comprises two magnetizable cores 28 and 29, provided with a winding made up of two coils 2S and 29 carried on cores 28 and 29, respectively, andalso connected in series. Current is at times supplied, as will appear hereinafter, to the winding of magnet K 5 through wires 45 and 46, and at other times, current is supplied to the winding of mag net K through wires 4'? and 46. Each core of relay K is provided with a sleeve 30 of conducting material by means of which changes in the magnet flux in these cores are retarded. The magnets may therefore be termed slow acting magnets.

The reference character P designatesan armature inthe form of a substantially fiat plate of magnetizable material provided with pivots 31,31 which are mounted in bearings not shown in the drawing, whereby the armature may swing about the axis of these pivots into engagement with the cores 26 and 27 of magnet K or with the cores 28 and 29 of magnet K depending upon which of these magnets attracts the armature more powerfully. The relay K comprises contacts controlled in accordance with the position occupied by armature P so that when the armature is swung in one direction by magnet K contact 40-40 is closed, but that when the armature is swung in the op posite direction about axis 31 by magnet K contact l040 is closed.

Magnet K also controls a second armature designated by the reference character P and pivotally supported to swing about an axis When magnet K is de-energized armature P drops down against a fixed stop 34 so that contact 37 is closed. WVhen magnet K is energized, however, armature P is swung upwardly about its axis 32 toward the cores 26 and 27 of magnet K to an upper position in which contact 36 is closed.

The reference character P designates a third armature which is controlled by magnet K and is pivotally supported to swing about an axis 33. When magnet K is deenergized, armature P rdrop'ajunder the influence of grav1ty, to a lower pOsl'tlQilw defined by a fixed stop 35, in which posltion a contact 39 is closed. energlzed, however, armature P 18' swung upwardly about 3.-X1S 33 toward the, cores 28 and 29 of magnet K to an upper position i ceedcode is supplied to the traclrway'. Relay G is therefore alternately energized and dein which contact 38 isclosed.

Referring again to Fig. 1, whenrela'y G is deenergized magnet K of relay K is energized by current which r'lowsi rom a suitable source or energy, through: wires .42

lL-lll" of relay G, wire 45, coils 26? and 2'7 of relay K, and wires 46 and 56 back to battery F. lVhe-n relayG is energized, however, current flows wires 452 and 4:3,

relay front contact 41-ll of It, will be manifest, .thcrefore, that when relay G is energized, magnet K of relay .K is supplied with current and that whenre lay G is (ls-energized, magnet K is supplied with current. 1

The relay K may be used to control traincarried governing means in any suitable manner, and as here shown this means comprises a plurality of governing devices such as electric lamps, 66,67, 68 and 69.. Lamp 66 is provided with a circuit over which current flows from battery F, through wires 42, 4:6 and 4:9, contact 36. operated by armature P of relay K, wire 50, contact 318-OP8132H617 wire 51,.contact' by armature P of relay K, 40-t0' operated by armature P of relayK, wire 52, lamp 66, and wires 53, 54:, 55 and 56, back to battery F. This circuit is closed only when armatures P and P of relay K are both in their upper positions and armature Plot relay K is swung toward magnet K under which conditions lamp 66, is lighted, It armature P is swung toward magnet K and armatures P and P both occupy their upper positions, current fl'ows from battery F, through wires 42, 48 and i9, contact 36 oi relay K, Wire '50, contact 38 of relay K, wire 51, contact lO--el0 or relay K, wire 57, lamp 67 and wires 58 and 56 baclt to battery F. Lamp 68 is provided- 7 with a circuit over which current flows from battery F, through wires 4-2, 18', 59 and 60, contact 3t of-relay K, wire 61, lamp 6S and wires 62, 55 and 56 baclrto battery F. This circuit is closed only when armature P of relay K occupies its lower position, under which condition lamp 68 is lighted; When armature P of relay K occupiesits lower position, current flows from battery F, through wires l2, l8, 59 and 63,. contact 39 of relay K, p

55 and 56 back to battery F, thereby lightinglamp 69.

As shown in the drawing, signal S is at proceed so that contact 7 8 of circuit cona When magnet K is such as a battery, 13, and 43, back contact from battery F, through G, wire 47, coils 29 and as -or relay K and: wires d6 and 56. back to battery K of relay rent sufiicient decay of flux in magnet K- wire 6%, lamp 69, and wires 65,

troller G is closed, with the result that relay R is intermittently operated. Contact l0 --1'1 are alternately energized. When the current ceases to flow in the winding ofone 'ot' the magnets K 015K the magnetic field due to this current starts to collapse, but due to.

the.conductingsleeves 30 on the, cores an interval of time elapsesbefore the flu): dies out completely in the cores ofthe magnet. Similarly, when the current commences to flow in the winding of the magnet, the magneticiield caused by this current grows gradually. to its steady value but the growth of this field is retarded by the conducting sleeves 30 on the cores of the magnet. But when relay G- is being supplied with a code impulse combination in accordance with the proceed code,magnet K is energized tor a greater proportion of given interval of time than magnet Kfiso that armature P isswung toward magnet K thereby closing contact: 4-O -l0". ll hen armature P is in its middle position the air gaps between the cores 28 and 29 of magnet K and the armedtureP are preferably smaller than the air gaps between this armature and the cores of magnet K so that the advantage of magnet- K is still further increased, T he current which is inter-mi 'tently supplied to magnet K holds rn'iatur-e l in its upper position, thereby opening back contact 37 and closing contact 36. In similar manner the intermittent energization of magnet K holds armature P in its upper position, thereby opening contact 39 and closing contact 38. As long as relay G is being energized in accordance with the proceed code, therefore, arn'iaturesP and 'P 'both occupy their upper positions and armature P is swung toward magnet K Armature P 'reniains in this position because tnc sleeves 30 on the magnet cores pre 0 and suli'lcient increase of flux in magnet K to swing armature P to the left during" the relatively short intervals in which magnet K? is de-energized and magnet K is energized. Under these conditions the circuit l'or lamp 66 is closed and this lam-p is lighted to indicate that the proceed code is being supplied to the train.

I will next assume that signal S indicates caution, so that contact 1013 of circuit controller D is closed. Relay R is intermittently operated because contact 78 of circuit controller C is closed, and so the cantion code is supplied to the rails of section AB. Relay G is therefore intermittently energized, each period of energization being one-third of a second and each period of deenergization being two-thirds of a. second. When relay G is energized, current is supplied to magnet K of relay G, and the magnet K of this relay is supplied with current when relay G is de-energized. It will be plain that when relay G is being supplied with the caution code, magnet K is energized for a greater proportion of a given interval of time than magnet K so that the elfect of magnet H upon armature P predominates over the etlect of magnet K on this armature and draws the armature toward magnet K thereby closing contact 4040 Armature P remains in this posi tion during the supply of the caution code for the same reason that it remains in its opposite position during the supply of the proceed code. Armaturcs P and P are both held in their upper positions due to the intermittent energization of magnets K and K respectively, so that contacts 36 and 38 are closed. lVhen relay G is being supplied with the caution code, therefore, the circuit is closed :for lamp 6?, which becomes lighted.

I will now assume that signal S indicates stop so that contact 1013 of circuit controller D is closed, thereby connecting secondary 3 or transformer T directly with the rails of section AB. Uninterrupted alternating current is then supplied to the rails of section AB and relay G is continuously energized. Current is therefore supplied continuously to magnet K of relay K and armature P is held in its upper position, but armature P drops to its lower position against the stop 34. Armature P is swung toward magnet K closing contact 4040". The circuit for lamp 66 is now open at contact 36 but the circuit for lamp 68 is closed at contact 37 so that lamp 68 becomes lighted.

Should relay G become de-energized as by the presence of a train in section AB ahead of train V, back contact l14l of relay G would be continuously closed. Under this condition, magnet K of relay K would be continuously energized, thereby swinging armature P toward magnet K and closing contact 40-40% Armature P would be held in its upper position, but armature P would drop, thereby opening the circuit for lamp 67 at contact 38. But with armature P in its lower position, contact 39 would be closed so that lamp 69 would be lighted.

It will be plain therefore that the traincarried apparatus herein shown and described is selectively responsive to the presence and absence of alternating current, and

is also selectively responsive to the code impulse combinations supplied thereto in accordance with the proportion of a given interval of time that current is supplied to the rails. One advantage of apparatus embodying my invention is that because the operation of relay K depends upon the relative durationof energization of the ma -nets K and K a considerable variation in the durations of these intervals may occur without causing improper operation of the relay.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of railway trafiic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a relay comprising two magnets, means for alternately energizing said magnets in such manner that the two magnets are energized for diilerent proportions of a'given interval of time, and a member constrained to occupy a first or a sec ond position depending upon which magnet is energized for the larger proportion of such time interval.

2. In combination, a relay comprising two magnets, means for alternately energizing said magnets in such manner that the two magnets are energized for different proportions of a given interval of time, and a member controlled by said magnets in accordance with the relative proportions of said time interval during which said magnets are energized. I

3. Railway traffic controlling apparatus comprising a train carried relay comprising two magnets, means for alternately energizing said magnets in such manner that the two magnets are energized for different proportions of a given interval of time, a member constrained to occupy a first or a second position depending upon which magnet is energized for the larger proportion of such time interval, and governing means on the train responsive to the position of said member. g

4. Railway tratfic controlling apparatus comprising a train carried relay comprising two magnets, means located partly in the trackway for alternately energizing said magnets in such manner that the two magnets are energized for difierent proportions of a given interval of time, a member controlled by said magnets in accordance with the relative proportions of said time interval during which the magnets are energized, and governing means controlled by said member. i 1

5; Railway traflic controlling apparatus comprising a train carried relay comprising two magnets, means located partly v in the trackway for alternately energizing said magnets in such manner that theftwo magnets are energized ior different proportions of a given interval of time,'a member controlled by said magnets in accordance with the relative proportions of said time interval during which the magnets are energized, contacts controlled by said member, and governing mflans controlled by said contacts.

ance with the relative proportions of said time m rval t a sa w ndinss a e enersized;

" 7 In c mb a on a' lay comp s We 7 m gnet ea h co pris ng a magnet zabl o e P ided with a cond ting sle e an a 1 l n'g, m eans for alterna y energizing said windings in such manner that the two ndi ar e gi ed f fi r n Pr port on of a g v n nterv tim and a P oted armature, attracted by one or the other f s id m gn s erdan w th th el tive proportions oi said time interval doring which a d w d ng a e energi ed- '8. In combination, a relay comprising two magnets each comprising a magnetizable core provided with a conducting sleeye and a w ding, means or a er tely e e gizi gw said windings 1n such manner that the two windings are energized for difierent proportio is of a given int rval of inlala pivot arm ure att a ted y n 0 the other said magnets in accordance with the relative proportions of said time interval during which said windings are energized, and a second armature controlled by only one of said magnets.

in omb nation, a r lay eemprisin t mag e s each comp isin a masae i'zeb core provided with a conducting sleeve and a nd ng, m ans o a r ate y en r izi said windings in such manner that the two windings are energized for difierent propori ions of armatur attracted by one or a give t va 0i time a pivg'tied the othe Of said magnets in accordance with the relatives:

pr n rt e f a time in r a dur which said windings are energized, a second armature controlled solely by one of said magnets, and a third armature controlled solely b'y'the remaining magnet. p

10,, A comprising two pairs of? QDles nerg zed tor a larger proportion of a given nterval of t me lew a tin ma nets,

tions of a g ven interval of other pair, a pivoted armature responsive- [to flux in both pairs of cores,

and two other pivoted armatnres separately responsive to the fiuxes in said pairs of .cores, respectively.

11. A relay comprising two pairs of cores each provided with a conducting. sleeve, a first winding comprising two coils one on each core of one pair, a second windingcomprising two coils one on each Ql'e 'of the other pair, a pi-voted armature. responsive to flux in both pairs of cores, two other pivoted ,armaturesseparately responsive to the flux n said pa of so es re pe i ely, and a Co a n l by leas said airlremre l 2- In ombinat on, t pai s f 0. a r id with a orieach core of the other painnleans for altera lay compris ng di re t pr pe ie f? g v n i terval'o time, a first armature controlled in accordance with the relative proportions of said ergized, and two other armatnresone controlled'by each pair of cores and each resp n i e on y cores. I

R y t ieo r l ng apparatu comprising train carried relay having two l w a ing magne m ns l atedra -tl in the trackway tor at times energizing said interyal'of time that said windings are enm gn t alte ly n u h ma e hat th magnets are e ergized for ,difierent proportions of afgiven interval of" time, ajiirst tur nt ol ed j y y a masnets in accordance with the proportion of said time interval that each magnet is energized, and second armature eontrolled solely by one said magnet. I

let. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus mp ising a train a i re ay having w me n lo a d Pa t y in the trackway for at times energizing said m gne te nat l n S h nner at the mag t ar en i e f r dr fi rent P oprtime, a first armature controlled jointly by is energized, a second armature controlled solely by one said magnet, and governing 'Ineans' con trolled by said two arn atures. a

i 15. Railway .traflic cont-rolling apparatns comprisi g a tra a ied r y hav ng two slow actin magnets, means located partly i n the traol rway for at times energizing sai magnets alternately in such manner that the to the i 1314.179 associated said magnets V r n ac cordance w th the proportion of said time interval that each magnet energizing magnets are energized tor difi erent proportions of a given interval of time, first armature controlled jointly by said magnets in I accordance with the proportion of said time interval that each magnet is energized, a second armature controlled solely by one said magnet, two contacts one controlled by each said armature, and governing means controlled by said two contacts.

16. Railway tratiic controlling apparatus COlYlPllSillg a train carried relay having two slow acting magnets, means located partly in the trackway for at times energizing said magnets alternately in such manner that the magnets are energized for difierent proportions of a given intervalof time, a fist armature controlled jointly by said magnets in accordance with the proportion of said time interval that each magnet is energized, a second armature controlled solely by one said magnet, and a third armature controlled solely by the other magnet.

17. Railway traific controlling apparatus comprising a train carried relay having two slow acting magnets, means located partly in the trackway for at times energizing said magnets alternately in such manner that the magnets are energized for different proportions of a given interval of time, a first armature controlled jointly by said magnets in accordance with the proportion of said time interval that each magnet is energized, a second armature controlled solely by one said magnet, a third armature controlled solely by the other magnet, and governing means controlled by said armatures.

18. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a first train carried relay, means located partly in the tracltway for at times said first relay intermittently in such manner that the periods of energization and de-energization of said first relay occupy different proportions of a given interval of time, a second relay on the train comprising two slow acting magnets, means controlled by said first relay for energizing Sold two magnets alternately, and governi11;, means controlled by said two magnets in "accordance with the relative proportions of a given interval of time that the magnets are energized.

19. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a first train carried relay. means located partly in the trackway for at times energizing said first relay intermittently in such manner that the periods of energiza-- tion and de-energization of said firs relay occupy different proportions of a given interval of'time, a second relay on the train comprising two slow acting magnets. a circuit for one of said magnets including a front contact of said first relay, a circuit for the remaining magnet including a back con tact oi said first relay, and governing means controlled by said second relay in accordance with the relative proportions of a time interval that said magnets are energized.

20. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a first train carried relay, means located partly in the trackway for at times energizing said first relay intermittently in such manner that the periods of energization and de-energization of said first relay occupy different proportions of a given interval of time, a second relay on the train comprising two slow acting magnets, means controlled by said first relay for energizing. said two magnets alternately. a first arnia ture controlled jointly by said magnets in accordance with the relative proportions of a time interval that the magnets are energized, a second armature controlled solely by one of said magnets, a third armature controlled solely by the remaining magnet, and governing means controlled by 1 said three armatures.

21. Railway traflic controlling apparatus comprising a first train carried relay, means located partly in the trackway for at times energizing said first relay intermittently in such manner that the periods of energiza tion and de-energizationof said first relay occupy different proportions of a given interval of time, a second relay on the train comprising two slow acting magnets, a cir cuit for one of said magnets including a front contact of said first relay, a circuit for the remaining magnet including a back contact of said first relay, an armature controlled jointly by said magnets in accordance with the relative proportions of a time interval that the magnets are energized, two contacts responsive to'continuous or intermittent energization of said two magnets respectively, and governing means controlled by said armature and by said contacts.

22. Railway trafiic controllingapparatus comprising a train carried relay having two slow acting magnets, means located partly in the trackway tor at times energizing said magnets alternately in such manner that-the magnets are energized for diflerent proportions of a given interval of time, a first armature controlled jointly by said magnets in accordance with the proportion of said time interval that each magnet is energizer. and asecond armature controlled solely by one said, magnet, a third armature controlled solely by the. other magnet.v governing means controlled jointly by said three armatures, and other governing means controlled by said second and. third armatures but not by said first armature.

2?, In combination, a, relay comprising two magnets, means for at times energizing said magnets alternately in such manner that the two magnets are energized for different proportions of a given interval of time, means for at other times energizing lUS one or the other of said magnets continuously, a first armature controlled in accordance with the relative proportions of said interval of time that said magnets are energized, two other armatures controlled by said magnets respectively, and goyerning means controlled by said three armatnres.

2%. in combination, a relay comprising two magnets, means for at times energizing said magnets alternately in such manner that the two magnets are energized for different proportions of a given interval of time, means forat other times energizing one or the other of said magnets continuously, a first contact controlled solely by one of said magnets, a second contactcontrolled solely by the other magnet, and a third contact controlled jointly by the two magnets in accordance with the relativeproportions of said interval of time that the magnets are 20 energized.

In testlmony whereof I afix my signature.

HAROLD o. HOLTE. 

